How we test cake tins

Unsurprisingly, our kitchen experts go through a lot of cakes in the process.

by Kim

Fact-checked

Last updated: 8 Oct 2021

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With the right cake tin, you can avoid baking disasters and ensure consistent results every time. So how do our experts test cake tins? Cooking delicious cakes is just part of the test method: our experts need to rate how well the cake tins do their job.

Our expert tester

There’s no doubt that our home economist Fiona Mair knows her way around a kitchen and has endless knowledge about kitchen appliances. With 30 years of experience, she’s seen a lot of new technology enter the kitchen space. She is a whiz in the kitchen and knows how to put any appliance, big or small, through its paces to see if it’s worth a spot in your kitchen.

How we choose what we test

With so many cake tins to choose from on the market, what makes us choose one type or size over another? As with most of our product testing, our aim is to test the most popular models available and what you’re most likely to see in stores. We test cake tins which are approximately 20cm in diameter, made of material such as anodised aluminium or a non-stick coating.

We survey manufacturers to find out about their range of models, we check market sales information and we check for any member requests to test specific models. From this information we put together a final list that goes to our buyers. They then head out to the retailers and purchase each product, just as a normal consumer would, so we can make sure the products haven’t been ‘tweaked’ in any way.

How we test

Fiona conducts performance and ease of use tests to assess the cake tins.

Performance

This consists of two main tests.

Sponge sandwich: The aim of this test is to see how well the cake tin can release a delicate cake without sticking or damaging it. Fiona assesses the cake tin’s ability to brown evenly and how well it produces a firm, fairly dry crumb on the base. She also assesses its shape.
Apple caramel upside-down cake: In this test, Fiona evaluates how well the cake tin can release a sticky food without damaging it. She also assesses the cake tin’s ability to brown evenly without burning the caramel, and how well it produces a firm, fairly dry crumb on the base. She also assesses its shape.

Ease of use

Fiona rates ease of handling (placing the cakes into the oven with oven gloves) and turning out (taking into account the lip around the rim or any handles which could make the job easier). She also looks at how easy the tins are to clean (whether they’re easy to wipe out with no soaking, and are dishwasher safe). Both handling and cleaning scores are weighted equally when determining ease of use.

Test criteria explained

The performance test makes up 60% of the cake tin’s CHOICE Expert Rating score, while ease of use makes up 40%. We recommend cake tins with a score of at least 85% overall.

Kim

I joined CHOICE as a content producer in July 2014 and am currently team leader of the household department. I write about a variety of products such as coffee machines, stick vacuums, bassinets, high chairs and ovens, which are tested by our in-house lab staff. Our reports help people make informed decisions about their purchases. We also keep manufacturers in check, regularly exposing product flaws which can result in better, safer products. Making a difference is what I enjoy most about my role. Prior to CHOICE, I spent 16 years working as a technology journalist in Sydney and London. I spent several years as a senior researcher/writer at our UK sister organisation, Which? Giving people access to robust, independent advice is something I have always felt strongly about. I'm also the author of several how-to technology books such as Spotify for Dummies and Digital Photography for the Older and Wiser and am a communications graduate of Charles Sturt University. You can find me on LinkedIn.